New Ranger 31CB Advice

[BayRetriever]

Hi folks,

After seeing the R31S at the Annapolis Boat Show yesterday, I put down a deposit for an R31CB today - and was hoping I could get some insight here.

My background: I grew up sailing on my parent's Catalina 30. My first boat was a used Catalina 27, then I moved up to a used Catalina 34, and I then to a new Beneteau 40 in 2008 - which I've had ever since. I'm out of Baltimore - so the Chesapeake Bay is my cruising ground - although I've done the ICW from here to Key West aboard my 40. While I love sailing, with my limited time (I'm years from retirement), I find that my usual weekend or occasional weeklong excursions are spent at 6kts under power just trying to get to the next destination. And drawing 5'3 now, I miss the secluded coves and rivers I could get to with my 27's 3'6 keel.

For the Ranger I'm liking the Command Bridge (CB) version because I'd still like to be "outside" as much as possible between destinations - although unfortunately they only had a 31S at the show. The rep there told me that the 2016 31CB will have 2 inward-facing bench seats behind the forward-facing bridge bench seat - making room for 6 up there (?). Solar panel and gear rails moved aft over now-standard extended hard rear deck top. Do any current 31 owners feel that might be a bit much for a boat of that size?

Options - suggestions? As a mid-Atlantic cruiser I surely don't need the optional diesel furnace heater ($5500), and with the Command Bridge I don't see a need for the aft cockpit controls ($4400). I'd love to finally have a genset ($13,000), and the nav package ($14,000) was pretty sweet. Is the AIS 600 ($1600) worth it? Is a 22# anchor enough for this boat, or do current owners have better ideas?

How do former sailors feel about converting to this tug? Any special considerations I might be missing with this model and my current cruising grounds? I'll be conducting a sea trial in the next week or two to see how she handles in open water and get the other half's approval (or not). Thanks much for any feedback and I look forward to this next adventure!

Oh - and if you know of anyone looking for a nice 2008 Beneteau 40... 😉

 

[coreychamness]

We have owned our R-31CB since January of 2014 and keep it in Washington, DC. We normally operate in the Potomac River but have been out into the Chesapeake Bay on multiple occasions - including keeping our boat in Annapolis for the month of June this year. We initially were not going to get the flybridge - in order to save money but we have absolutely no regrets now that we have it. I could live without the AIS 600. It has never helped me but I pay attention to traffic around me. If you have radar, the MARPA functionality can help with collision avoidance. In the vicinity of Annapolis, AIS is nearly useless because it continually alarms/alerts. Almost every nice sailboat seems to have it there. I can't imagine wanting the rear controls unless I was a fisherman trolling from the cockpit. Our unit did not have a diesel furnace so I installed it myself. We used it last weekend even while tied up at marinas away from homeport. We seldom use the generator but when we do, it is essential. That will depend upon how often you anchor out and want to use the A/C in the summer. The Garmin autopilot and GPS are extremely useful for long trips up and down the bay. I have never experienced any issues with the supplied anchor being insufficient to hold but "more" is often better - plus I always purposely have anchored in protected places. More seating on the flybridge might be nice - I have had six up on the flybridge. I hope the now standard hardtop is not the gelcoat color of the hull. It is nearly impossible to keep up with the sun-baked oxidation on my existing eyebrows, short top and the storage locker on the swim platform. Anything horizontal gets cooked in the summer. I have compounded and waxed many times.

Corey

 

[Lehill]

We have owned our R31 -CB since mid season 2014. The 1st mate and I spend most of the time in the CB. We installed a bimini top and it is the best seat in the house. Visibility is spectacular and the docking /locks are easier than from the pilot house helm. We have been out in 6 foot seas on Georgian Bay - not something that we wish to repeat. Under these conditions the CB can move/sway a lot and it is preferable to pilot from inside. Often there are 2-4 people up top and more seating would be better than holding onto the mast. Having said that though the CB opens up more options for cruising on fine days and the boat feels bigger. We installed a camper top and sides over the cockpit this year and were amazed at the increase in sheltered living space. We replaced the 22lb claw anchor with a Rocna 33. The shank just fits under the bale and no bow roller mods needed. More piece of mind and superior holding power IMO. Hope this helps.

 

[Bel Canto]

The new 31CB looks a lot nicer that the older ones. We have a new Cutwater 30CB, and when my wife saw the new Ranger CB, wanted to trade immediately. I have used the aft helm. It was helpful when getting her away from the slings at haul-out. I could hear the lift operators and see the obstructions. It is also handy for stern-to docking, although I have perfected the "dockline and fender from inside the helm station" operation. I won't, however, say it is worth the money.

 

[baz]

Re: AIS

AIS 300 is receive/Rx only
AIS 600 is transmit(Tx) and receive(Rx)

If you want others to track your boat then AIS 600 will be required, otherwise the AIS 300 will do the job.

AIS 300 is obviously less expensive and does not require an extra antenna as does the AIS 600.

For my boating requirements I chose to have AIS 300. It cost me $400 and I installed it myself. It was an easy install.

 

[BayRetriever]

Pics of the new seats up top are on the Ranger Tugs Facebook post on the Ft Lauderdale Boat Show:

https://www.facebook.com/RangerTugs/pho ... =3&theater

 

[coreychamness]

even more importantly, it looks like the eyebrows, hard top and propane locker on the swim platform are all white. Those horizontal surfaces were extremely difficult to keep up with oxidation in the sun on this coast.